Daylight is dwindling as we approach the final days of August. Every so often, an anxious auburn leaf appears omnipresent in contrast to the rest of the landscape that clings to its green glow. Squint and I can see the white stripe spiralling toward me. With fall football around the corner, a few things are clear. One team outclasses the rest, and another is so bad, it’s threatening to break records. Those two teams happened to face each last Thursday night and despite the game having the largest spread of the season, the Als more than doubled it in a 30-point blowout. Since then, Fanduel is having some fun at Ottawa’s expense. Predict which of the Redblacks remaining eight games will produce their first win. Or, like I did, you can take them at 15-1 to be the first CFL team to finish an 18-game regular season schedule without a victory.
Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Davis Alexander is the MOP favourite and leads the CFL in passing yards. Tyson Philpot is on pace to break the single season receiving yards record. Tyler Snead is the league’s second leading receiver with 90 more yards than anyone on any other team.
The Als’ offence is so good, that their defence has become under appreciated. Montreal is allowing the second fewest yards to opposing offences. I’m not sure they should be favoured by less than a touchdown against anyone in the league. Meanwhile, the Bombers only two wins since week 6 have been against the Redblacks, and one of them came down to the last play. They’re coming off a deflating loss last week in Edmonton. After taking a double-digit lead into the break, the Bombers couldn’t move the ball in the second half and watched the Elks walk-off with the win.
THE PICK: ALOUETTES -6.5
Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Calgary Stampeders
Vernon Adams and Dedrick Mills both went down in Calgary’s week 11 loss to BC. Both could be back this week after a bye, but early reports suggest Adams may not be 100 percent, even if he plays. This is a must win for the Stamps, but with question marks to key players as they prepare to host Hamilton, I can’t swallow so many points.
THE PICK: NO PICK
Toronto Argonauts at Saskatchewan Roughriders
‘Pull together’ is their slogan, but I can’t find the rhythm. Frustration has been the feeling for most of my Argos experiences this season. Newsflash: if the quarterback doesn’t throw four picks, the boatmen will likely cover the spread. Obviously, Chad Kelly isn’t trying to throw it to the other team, despite how it sometimes appears on tape. So, it’s hard to predict. This week though, they face a Saskatchewan defence that’s stout against the run, but has only forced four interceptions all season, tied for last in the league. The Riders receivers’ room was already a mash unit, and it got worse last week. Trevor Harris is playing at an elite level, but even he can’t make up for all the missing pieces.
THE PICK: ARGONAUTS +4.5
BC Lions at Ottawa Redblacks
I already indicated that I’m on the Redblacks to lose out. Since almost beating the Bombers in week 7, followed by a bye in week 8, Ottawa has lost four straight games by an average of more than 20 points. Captain Obvious says they’ve failed to cover the spread over that stretch. They’ve since fired vice president of Football Ops Shawn Bruke, replacing him with Jim Popp. If that makes the difference this week, I didn’t see it. The Lions can taste blood. Despite winning four in a row, Natha Rourke isn’t happy with his own play. The reigning MOP sounds like he has something to prove, and the league’s easiest prey is wounded in his path.
THE PICK: LIONS -7.5
PLAYER PROP PARLAY:
In his last four games, Zander Horvath is averaging 99.5 yards per game and he has eight total touchdowns over that stretch. Even with James Butler back and in the mix, Horvath’s role has remained steady. 40 yards is a safe floor and I would be surprised if he didn’t score his league leading 13th touchdown in week 13.
ZANDER HORVATH 40+ RUSHING YDS / ANYTIME TOUCHDOWN (-125)
